Koyikkal Palace

Location:

18 kilometers from Trivandrum, Nedumangad

Main Attractions:

Museums within the palace

Located
at Nedumangad, 18 kilometers from Trivandrum, Koyikkal Palace is a major
tourist attraction. This ancient palace is built in the traditional
Kerala architectural style with slanting roofs and a courtyard inside.
This palace was built for Umayamma Rani of the Venad royal family. This
magnificent double storied palace now houses two museums, set up by the
Archaeology Department. The Koyikkal Palace of Thiruvananthapuram is a
beautiful monument that stands as an evidence of the rich historical
legacy of Kerala. The two museums in the palace are the Folklore museum
and Numismatics museum.

The Folklore museum was set up in the year 1992 and houses many ancient
musical instruments and models of folk arts. One can also find rare
articles like an ancient percussion instrument that was used while a
ballad like Ramayana. Another small instrument that was a very sweet
sounding instrument, made of wood and string is also exhibited over
here. This instrument was used during Onam festival in Kerala in old
days. The museum also has a number of household utensils made in brass
and copper that was used during ancient times.

The Numismatics museum over here is one of its kind, as it houses a
vast collection of coins from different eras. An ancient coin belonging
to the Venetian era is also exhibited here and it is believed that this
coin was presented to Jesus Christ. Ancient coins belonging to the time
when trade first started in Kerala are also exhibited over here. The
museum has a huge collection of Roman coins and also has coins belonging
to different empires that ruled India.